TNT Set to Roll Out Two New Summer Dramas and a Returning Hit

TNT is taking the wraps off a batch of new summer programming, planning an unveiling at South by Southwest for the new series "The Last Ship" and "Legends," along with season four of "Falling Skies," the network announced.

Said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM): "For the past three summers, TNT has had great creative and commercial success with ‘Falling Skies,’ which has inspired us to continue to program for fans of sci-fi and action. This year, we’re going to launch ‘The Last Ship’ and ‘Legends,’ two expertly crafted shows that bring the storytelling scope and thrill-ride excitement of our favorite summer movies to series television. With their great writing, expansive casts and outstanding production quality, these are really fun, smart and addictive shows."

The cable channel planned a slate of panel discussions and sneak peeks at SXSW this week in connection with the programs. TNT also announced premiere dates and other rollout plans.

"TNT’s summer action series will kick off Sunday, June 22, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) with the premiere of ‘The Last Ship,’ from executive producer Michael Bay (‘Transformers’). Eric Dane (‘Grey’s Anatomy’) and Rhona Mitra (‘Strike Back’) star in the series about a Navy vessel that may be humanity’s last hope in the wake of a worldwide catastrophe," the network said in its announcement.

The release adds: "The fourth season premiere of ‘Falling Skies,’ from Amblin Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg, will follow ‘The Last Ship’ at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). Noah Wyle stars in the highly rated drama about the struggle against a deadly force of alien invaders."

The announcement also notes: "In August, the action will intensify even more as TNT premieres the new drama ‘Legends,’ from ‘Homeland’ executive producers Howard Gordon and Alexander Cary and ‘Fringe’ co-executive producer David Wilcox. Set to premiere Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), ‘Legends’ stars Sean Bean (‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings’) as a deep-undercover FBI agent who may be losing his grip on reality."

The release notes that TNT’s summer lineup will also feature new seasons of "Major Crimes," "Rizzoli & Isles," "Perception" and "Franklin & Bash"; new episodes of "Dallas"; and the launch of Stephen Bochco’s new crime drama "Murder in the First," with premiere dates for those shows to be announced at a later time.